In a pulsating international friendly clash, the U23 US Men’s National Team showed tremendous fighting spirit to come from behind and salvage a hard-fought 2-2 draw against a talented French side coached by legendary striker Thierry Henry.
The match, played behind closed doors in preparation for the upcoming Paris Games, was a stern test for the young American outfit against one of the powerhouses of world soccer.
It was the visitors who drew first blood, capitalizing on a defensive lapse in the 18th minute.
In a masterstroke of motivation, United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) manager Gregg Berhalter drew inspiration from one of the greatest dynasties in sports history – the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls’ iconic ’three-peat’ in the NBA. Berhalter’s tactical maneuver paid dividends as the USMNT clinched their third consecutive Concacaf Nations League crown with a 2-0 victory over archrival Mexico on Sunday.
The USMNT’s road to glory was arduous, but Berhalter’s psychological ploy fueled their unwavering determination.
The stage is set for yet another epic battle between the two giants of CONCACAF. Mexico booked their spot in the Concacaf Nations League final with a clinical 3-0 victory over Panama on Thursday night in Arlington, Texas. They will now face their biggest rivals, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), in Sunday’s heavyweight championship clash at AT&T Stadium.
In front of almost 50,000 fans heavily favoring El Tri, Mexico got off to a fast start when Edson Alvarez opened the scoring in the 40th minute.
